Table games embodiments related to the table game of shuffleboard

ABSTRACT

Table games related to shuffleboard are disclosed, as well as a game table for the playing of such games. Games based on shuffleboard, bowling and billiards are disclosed, all of which can be played on a “shuffleboard” type game table. Also disclosed is a game table which allows for the playing of these games, and also allows the displaying of messages to the players, either through the display of translucent, holographic or lenticular materials, or by the use of a television monitor.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is claiming the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), ofthe provisional application filed Oct. 4, 2005 under 35 U.S.C. § 111(b),which was granted Ser. No. 60/723,148. This provisional application ishereby incorporated by reference. Application Ser. No. 60/723,148 isco-pending as of the filing date of the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is to provide for new and novelimprovements over existing table games, and new and novel variations ofexisting table games.

There are two types of table game embodiments contained herein that arerelated to the game of Shuffleboard:

1. Table game embodiments containing a feature to allow advertisingand/or art to be displayed.

2. Different table game embodiments without the advertising feature.

The advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a table game embodying theconstruction of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows additional features of the construction shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the construction shown in FIGS. 1 & 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further modification of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a pinsetter construction that may beused with the construction shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further modification of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a still further modification of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there are shown two dual digit LED's for thepurpose of displaying each player's or team of players' score, indicatedby the numeral 1-a.

Numeral 1-b indicates a circular cut-away opening in the back board,this opening is covered by a transparent material, (glass or plastic)that allows art and advertising to be displayed from behind thetransparent material. A light fixture is located behind the back boardto illuminate the displayed graphics. If a translucent material is usedas the medium in which the graphics are imprinted, the light of thefixture creates the special effect of a lighted graphic that has abigger visual impact, that can be seen better, and that can be seen evenin a very dark room. Translucent, holographic or lenticular materialscan also he displayed in this circular opening.

The opening 1-b can also accommodate a television monitor, preferably offlat screen technology, that can be used for displaying lighted graphicsor motion displays such as sport games, advertising etc. The televisionmonitor can be connected by cable and be operated to control the imagesto be seen in the monitor.

The opening 1-b can be of any geometrical shape or in any shape desiredas for example; the shape of a motorcycle for the holographic, regularprinting or motion display from an advertiser of that type product.

Numerals 1-c and 1-d indicate the control panels for each player or teamof players to register or erase their scores. The control panels maycontain plus (+) and minus (−) buttons so the scores can be increased ordecreased at will.

Numeral 1-e indicates the outside wall of the table game, which mayconsist of a narrow rail for the purposes of: (a) saving manufacturingmaterial, (b) saving on weight for shipping and handling and (c) providefor a unique table shape (non-rectangular) that could be more visuallypleasant, easier to fit in a smaller place and that allows the table tohave more stability when shipped standing-up in a regular pallet alongwith other units, which is the ideal method of shipping this type oftable game. Another reason for the rail 1-e to be of a narrow design isto prevent the placing of beverage containers on that portion of thetable which could fall over the playing surface.

The construction shown in FIG. 1 was engineered to allow the legs, backboard and supplies to be stored underneath for shipping, thus providingfor the smallest possible volume and weight for handling and shipping.

The table game of FIG. 2 shows the table game of FIG. 1 without the backboard, but with the added following features: Numeral 2-a indicates acenter ramp that has an imprint of the scoring numbers related to thetable game of Shuffleboard. Ramp 2-e has the following purposes: (a) toprovide for an incline toward the player imprint that allows an easierview of the scoring numbers even when the sand or wax that is used inthe game is over this surface; (b) to provide a ramp that moves theweights forwards; (c) to allow the numbers to be placed on this rampinstead of the playing surface and, thus, provide for a less clutteredand cleaner playing surface and (d) to allow an easy to read displaythat allows only one set of numbers to be printed instead of thetraditional two sets of numbers.

Lateral ramps (2-a,2-b) are located at the back of the table at the twosides of the playing surface. These lateral ramps are inset in thegutters or side channels. These side ramps allow the game pucks(weights) to slide all the way to the front of the table so the playersdon't have to walk to the back of the table to retrieve them.

Tubular leg braces 2-c provide the stability needed for this type ofgame. Without the leg braces 2-c the legs 2-e of the table will need beso massive that they could not be stored inside the table for the mosteconomical shipping possible. The leg braces 2-c allow for them and thelegs 2-e to have a small diameter and, therefore, both braces 2-c andlegs 2-e fit easily inside the skirt. Manufacturers of table games oftenresort to shipping the legs separately. The braces 2-c prevent this.

A lighted graphics display 2-d may consist of a glass that can beleveled from underneath by means of four glass levels. These levelsallow for the glass to be positioned perfectly flush with the playingsurface. A light fixture is mounted underneath for the purpose oflighting the graphics under the display glass. The same features,including a television monitor as shown in FIG. 1 b can be used for this“Playing Surface Display.”

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the table game of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Alighted graphic display 3-a is illustrated in a round geometrical shape.Return ramps 3-b like ramps 2-b, are inclined in the forward position.Numeral 3-c indicates the one set of scoring numbers that provide ameans to read the score for both left and right sides of the playingsurface.

FIG. 4 illustrates additional features that can be used with the tablegames of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 also shows accessory pins for playing thegame of “Shuffle Bowling.” Numeral 4-a indicates two dual digit inclinedscore displays or LED's. Numeral 4-b indicates one of the two controlpanels, similar to those indicated by the numerals 1-c and 1-d.

A coin mechanism is shown at 4-c. Pin gates 4-d may be activated by thecoin mechanism 4-c to elevate at a preset period of time to prevent freeplay. A puck or “weight” 4-e may be used instead of a ball to knock overthe bowling type pins located on the right side of the playing surface.

FIG. 5 shows a template with 8 cavities that maybe used to properlyspace the bowling style pins when playing with the accessories for“Shuffle Bowling” with the game tables of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. FIG. 5 ashows the template of FIG. 5 with the 3 removable legs attached toprovide for the proper spacing to the widest portion of the pins.

FIG. 6 shows a variation of the game tables of FIG. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Thisvariation has a playing surface that has been covered with felt so itwill function properly with billiard type balls 6-a. A dual abacus typescorer 6-b may be used, if desired. The pin gates 6-c are similar to pingates 4-c as shown in FIG. 4. Coin mechanism 6-d may be used inconnection with the game, if desires.

FIG. 7 shows a shuffleboard game table that has a felted playing surface7-a, and which uses billiard type balls instead of the regular pucks 4-eor weights. The method of propulsion of the balls for this table and thetable game of FIG. 6 is a billiard cue or stick instead of the hand.

1. A table game consisting of a playing field and a backboard and havinga cut-away opening in the backboard covered by a transparent material, alight fixture being located behind the backboard to illuminate thetransparent material covering the cut-away opening.
 2. The table game ofclaim 1 wherein a television monitor takes the place of the lightfixture.
 3. The table game of claim 1, further comprising at least onecontrol panel on which a player's score can be registered.